Vatican affirms ban for 'deep seated' gay priests

The Vatican published its long-awaited document on gays in the priesthood today, affirming that men with “deep-seated” gay tendencies shouldn’t be ordained.

But those with “transitory” tendencies could be if they had overcome them for three years.

The official release of the Instruction from the Congregation for Catholic Education came a week after an Italian Catholic news agency posted a leaked copy on its website; as a result, the document’s contents were already known.

Reaction to the document has been mixed, with supporters saying it may help reverse the “gay culture” that has grown in many US seminaries.

Critics have complained that if enforced, the restrictions will create morale problems among existing priests and will result in an even greater priest shortage in the United States.

Pope Benedict XVI approved the Instruction from the Congregation for Catholic Education on August 31 and ordered it published – one of the first major documents he has approved for release since being elected Pope on April 19.